TAMPA, Fla. — A former Tampa city council candidate who pulled a gun at the end of a District 5 forum last week now faces charges.
Tampa police said a warrant has been obtained that charges Elvis Piggott, 37, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and improper exhibition of a firearm.
The incident happened at the Tampa Heights Civic Association, which hosted a candidate forum between Thomas Scott and Naya Young for the District 5 special municipal runoff election.
Piggott told Spectrum News that after the forum ended, a Young supporter confronted him aggressively about a Facebook live video he posted stating Young needed more experience.
Piggott said he pulled a gun in self defense. Police said the victim left the scene before officers arrived and that Piggot was released at the time.
Police continued to investigate, gathering evidence and witness statements, before announcing the charges on Tuesday.
Tampa police said a warrant has been obtained that charges Elvis Piggott, 37, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and improper exhibition of a firearm. (Tampa police photo)
Piggot has turned himself in at Orient Road Jail.
“Our community should know that while not every arrest is immediate, every investigation is thorough,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. The detectives assigned to this case have worked with focused determination to gather all the required information needed, as they do with every investigation.”
Piggot was one of several candidates who made a bid for the District 5 seat that became open when Gwendolyn Henderson died in June. He received just under 5 percent of the votes (266 in total). Scott (27 percent) and Young (13 percent) were the top vote getters and will meet in a runoff later on Oct. 28.